Teachers:
- Ms. J. Sanderson - Subject Head
- Mrs. S. Tan
Looking forward to meeting you. Come to the Co-op Office beside the Library if you have any questions!
What is cooperative education (co-op)?
Co-op is educational programming that integrates classroom theory with practical experience in the workplace. Programming is based on a partnership between the school and a business or community organization. It involves the participation of students, teachers and the workplace (placement supervisors). It is a credit-earning program. Learn more about cooperative education in York Region District School Board.
Cooperative Education is also the foundation to the following specialized programs.
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
- Specialist High-Skills Major.
Specialist High Skills Major
Specialist High Skills Majors let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students complete a bundle of courses and gain valuable work experience through Co-op. SHSM programs lead to all postsecondary pathways – university, college, apprenticeship, and the workplace.
There are three SHSM sectors offered at Bayview S.S.:
- Business
- Nonprofit
- Health and Wellness
Programs at Williams:
2 credit (half day) Cooperative Education Programs
4 credit (full day) Cooperative Education Programs
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) - available for all students in placements in the Skilled Trades
Accelerated Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)- available for students in their GR 12 year (2nd semester)
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Program - Arts & Culture, Business, Health & Wellness, Transportation, Construction
Placement & Community Component (approximately 200 or 400 hours)
This is the largest component of the Cooperative Education Program and will be unique for each student. Placement runs for approximately 4 months. Students will be expected to attend work for the required number of hours per day.
Placement experiences will vary from placement to placement (see below).
While at placement students will:
develop and practice employability skills;
participate in placement specific tasks and projects;
work safely and responsibly as per placement policies and procedures;
apply the curriculum of their linking course(s) to their learning at placement (as outlined by their CELP);
be monitored by their Coop teacher during this time.
Assessment & Evaluation
Log Sheets & Hours
As noted above each student will have a target number of hours to reach to earn their Co-op credits. As part of this requirement students will be responsible for tracking their hours and getting their employer to sign off on weekly Co-op Log Sheets. Failure to meet this requirement, or not attending the Co-op placement regularly will jeopardize the credit(s).
Term Work (70% Final Grade)
Pre-Placement Assignments & Tests
Monthly Journals
Employer Assessments
Teacher Monitoring Assessments
Summatives (30% Final Grade)
Rich Independent Performance Task (occurs at placement in last month of semester)
Career Board / Career Fair (as indicated on course calendar)
Program Exit Interview & Portfolio (during exam period)
Cooperative Education Placements
Cooperative Education placements are opportunities for students to link the curriculum they have learned in school to real world authentic experiences. Once enrolled in the Co-op program students will be assigned a linking course that will guide their Co-op experiences. These linking courses must be taken prior to or consecutively with their Co-op Program. We therefore encourage students to make course selections that would compliment their Co-op placement and vice versa. (Note: Students who have selected to participate in SHSM will have further requirements on which courses are eligible to be a Co-op linking course).
The Community Based Education Department maintains and strives to create positive community partnerships with businesses in the Aurora area. When assessing placements for students the department looks at multiple factors when approaching community partners as a host. Certain industries and placements may dictate that students have to travel further distances to meet the job requirements.
If a student has there own contact/placement that they would like to do their Co-op placement with they are encouraged to provide the contact information to their Co-op teacher so contact can be made and a determination of placement appropriateness can be conducted.
More information regarding types of placements can be found on the subpages of this section.
Please Note: All placement experiences are unique and there may be specific time constraints, transportation requirements, certifications and training etc. that are required for placements. If there is a specific question not addressed here or on the following pages please feel free to contact the Coop Department.
Other Co-op Program Considerations
Dress Code and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Students are expected to dress appropriately for their placement. Placement expectations concerning dress and appearance are usually addressed during the interview process. This could include dressing in business casual, or site specific personal protective equipment. In some cases PPE can be covered.
Behavior & Responsibility & Safe Work Practice
Coop students and parents must be aware of the responsibility and level of maturity required for their placement. Students are given trust to behave in a responsible and appropriate manner in the working world. If at any point the employer or Co-op teacher feels that the trust has been broken a Co-op student can be removed from placement.
Co-op students must follow safe work practices. They must follow all company and school rules and report to their teacher any/or employer any accidents or incidents that make them uncomfortable or feel unsafe.
Further explanation of these requirements are outlined in the Co-op Statement of Understanding (attached to application).
Transportation
The cost of transportation is the responsibility of the student. During Pre-Placement students will have an opportunity to determine how they will arrive and return from placement. Requests for placements outside of the Aurora area will be honoured but students and parents must recognize the additional time and cost associated with such placements. Placements in the trades may require travel with further distances and access to personal vehicle.
Cooperative Education Paperwork
Students, parents/guardians, Coop teachers and placement supervisors will be required to complete legal paperwork for participation in the Cooperative Education Program. All paperwork must be completed PRIOR to a student beginning their placement. Failure to submit this paperwork will result in the removal from the Program.